AIR Ambulance volunteers are intending to walk out on the charity over the amount that senior staff are paid.

Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance pay its senior mangers between £90,000 and £120,000 – an amount that volunteers feel is unacceptable.

It is also believed that the chief executive of the charity, Andy Williamson receives between £110,000 to £120,000.

A small group of volunteers and supporters called Save Our Service claim that many fund-raisers are “intending to resign in protest” as most charities pay their senior staff around £55,000.

One volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said: “People who donate their precious time and those who donate their hard-earned money do not want to see their efforts going to over-paid office staff. Some of these people are going to be earning more each year than the doctors who are out there saving lives. That’s not what we joined up to do.”

Another volunteer added: “The public need to know what their donations are being used for.”

In 2007, the County Air Ambulance – which previously provided air cover to Leicestershire – left the region after raising only £500,000 of the total £1.2m to run the service each year.

However, months later, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance said it would step in and delivery a new service from East Midlands Airport.

A spokeswoman for the Air Ambulance said: “Just a few years ago the charity was £400,000 in deficit and could have collapsed. Last year the charity raised over £5.2m and rescued thousands of people when they needed us the most.

“As with any organisation it is important that we attract the best possible personnel that have the necessary skills set and the experience to not only keep the charity running but to drive it forward to meet the modern demands of the service.

“Andy Williamson is one of the most successful charity bosses and fund-raisers in the UK.”